12 Special Words for Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Zacchaeus was a rich tax collector. His own people hated him because he collected money for their enemies – the Romans. He also cheated people by charging more tax than what was fair.
Because he was short, when Jesus came to town, Zacchaeus had to climb a tree to see over the crowd.
Jesus stopped under that tree, looked up at Zacchaeus, and called him by name. Jesus said that He wanted to go to Zacchaeus’ house that day.
Zacchaeus was so happy that Jesus wanted to be his friend, and his heart changed. He promised to give half his money to the poor and repay four times what he had taken from anyone he had cheated.
12 special words from Jesus changed Zacchaeus.
“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.” – Luke 19:5 (ICB)
Even before Zaccheus changed his ways, Jesus wanted to spend time with him and be his friend.
Guess what? Jesus came to show us what God is like, so if Jesus wants to be with us even before we get rid of our bad habits, then that means God wants that too.
Imagine God calling you in the same way that Jesus called Zaccheus.
